Allocation substitution

When an order has completed the initial allocation routine, the application verifies whether a stock out condition exists on an order. A stock-out condition is defined as any point during the allocation routine when inventory is no longer available. If a stock-out condition exists, the application automatically re-allocates the order using the substitute items.

The list of acceptable substitutes must include a quantity. For example, a warehouse operation can use two six-packs of soda as a substitute for one twelve-pack. Conversely, a warehouse operation can use one twelve-pack as a substitute for two six-packs.

To use the allocation substitution feature, items must be defined for substitution on the Substitute Item tab of the Item screen. To open this screen, select Configuration > Item, and then click the Substitute tab. When a substitute has been defined, WM allocates the substitute item if a stock-out condition occurs for the original item. For additional information on configuring substitute items, see the Configuration Guide.

Allocating substitute items

On the Shipment Order Detail screen (SO Detail 2 tab), use the Allow Substitute field to determine whether a substitute is allowed for the item when a stock-out condition occurs.

  • If a substitute item has been defined, the application automatically selects the Allow Substitute option. If you do not want to allow the substitution, clear the option.
  • If the option is selected and a stock-out condition exists for the order, the substitutes are applied against the order line following the sequence defined for the substitute until the balance of all allocations are complete, or all substitutes have been used.
  • If this option is not selected and a stock-out condition occurs, the substitutes are not applied against the order line, even if substitutes have been defined for the original item.

When the substitute has been applied to the shipment order, a new detail line for each substitute item is added to the shipment order directly under the original item. The Is Substitute option is selected for each substitute.